RESOLUTION B3-0961/92

Resolution on the illegal imprisonment of Dr Nour al-Din al-Atassi, the former President and Prime Minister of Syria

The European Parliament,

deeply concerned at the violation of human rights in Syria and, in particular, the continuing illegal detention of political prisoners, some of whom have been imprisoned since the present regime took power in 1970,

concerned about the parlous medical condition of Dr Nour al-Din al-Atassi, the former President and Prime Minister of Syria, who was arrested in November 1970 during the coup by President Hafez Al-Assad,

concerned that Dr Nour al-Din al-Atassi has now been in prison in Damascus for more than 22 years,

particularly appalled that, during his imprisonment, Dr Nour al-Din al-Atassi has not only allegedly been tortured, but has also been deprived of essential medical aid to treat the diabetes from which he suffers,

concerned that, after a heart attack in April 1992, Dr Nour al-Din al-Atassi suffered a second heart attack while in Tishrin Hospital and is apparently denied the urgent operation he requires,

Insists that Syria acts urgently and without delay to remedy human rights abuses within its territory;

Calls for the immediate release of Dr Nour al-Din al-Atassi and for him to be allowed to leave Syria immediately and obtain full and satisfactory medical treatment;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, European Political Cooperation and the Syrian Government.